6/2/2023 0 Comments Parkdale lava flowThere are parts along the Gorge that if being searched out and observed, leaves and pieces of trees in the rocks can be found. The geological history of this area is unique and quite unusual. These were some of the largest documented floods occuring on the planet and in geological history. It is believed that it took 2-3 days for this water to drain.ĭuring a period of 2500 years, there were believed to be as many as 100 floods that scoured the Gorge area. ![]() Others were carried in icebergs as far as Western Oregon towards the Pacific Ocean. Boulders were tossed around the outlet of the break. This lake help approximately 600 cubic miles of water. Some of these measure 500 to 1600 feet above the river floor.Ībout 1800 years ago, the Columbia Basin became flooded when an ice dam broke at Lake MIssoula in Western Montana. ![]() Large pillars and walls were left above the flow of the river. Some of the mountains were sculpted by glaciers, others remained as they were.įollowing the ice age, the Columbia River returned to her former channel. The mountains were unable to block the flow, cutting the deep Columbia Gorge.Īt the end of the ice age, the Cascade Volcanoes rose, 100's of them forming the Cascade Range. During this period, glaciers pushed down helping form the Cascade Mountain Range. Adams.Īpproximately 2 million years ago, there was an ice age. They can be seen on a clear day from Hood River, Mt. Some of these "volcanoes" are still visible, although listed as dormant. This shows in the basalt walls and pillars of the Gorge. The amount of lava from these flows is estimated to be 41,000 cubic miles.ĭuring the cooling process, it cooled slower at the base than the top, causing six sided columns and walls to form, less uniformly at the top. It is believed that many layers of lava contributed to the 2,000 to 5,000 feet of thickness and smooth surface of the Columbia Plateau. Approximately 21 of those poured lava into the Gorge. The cracks that released the molten lava were as many as 270 across the region. This lava consisted of ash, lava and mud. 10-15 million years ago, the formation continued as the area was flooded with lava flows due to volcanic eruptions in Western Idaho, Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon which flowed as far as the Pacific Ocean. The granite lifting was only the beginning though. The granite from within the earth was lifted up from the pressure of molten lava from inside the earth which caused the outline of the Columbia Basin. The Columbia River Gorge formation started approximately 40-60 million years ago. ![]() How the Columbia River Gorge Was Formated
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